“Super Tuscan” is a catch-all term for wines from Tuscany that are made of blends that are not traditional to the region, namely with Bordeaux varietals.

The first and one of the most famous is Sassicaia, which is made on the western coast of Tuscany in Bolgheri. The new riper, fleshier style won critical acclaim, and other estates and winemakers began exploring what they could do with blends of Bordeaux grapes with sangiovese.

But other red grapes also have been planted in the past couple of decades.

Some of the wines (like Sassicaia) are collectible, very highly rated and expensive, but there are some outstanding examples for less than $40 that display the complexity of Tuscan terroir along with the fruit and structure of great cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc.

Or, as in the case of the first wine listed, sangiovese blended with some varietals rarely seen in Italy.

1.Montepeloso Eneo 2009, $40 (45% sangiovese, 35% Montepulciano, 15% Marselan and 5% Alicante Bouschet): This wine shows dried cherry and anise on the nose, with tobacco and spicy cherry on the mid-palate. The finish is long and balanced and the earth notes frame the unique character of this wine.

2. Valdisanti 2009 (2006 vintage shown), $40 (75% cabernet sauvignon, 20% sangiovese and 5% cabernet franc): This wine shows rich dark fruit on the nose along with a very fine tannin structure on the palate. Powerful but polished. Very well balanced between the fruit and spice with a long finish.

3. Il Fauno di Arcanum 2008, $30 (62% merlot, 23% cabernet sauvignon, 8% cabernet franc, 6% sangiovese and 1% petit verdot): This shows dried cherry, red plum, sassafras spice on the nose and a dried red fruit dominated mid-palate with a very long and elegant finish. Made by famed winemaker Pierre Seillan, this wine is an incredible value given the pedigree of both the winemaker, who is known by top-end collectors, and the terroir of the Arcanum estate. This is a merlot to give to people who think they don’t like merlot.

These wines might be out of the range for most of us for everyday drinking, but they are special wines that deserve a place at our tables and in our cellars as they will all age beautifully, if you have the space and willpower to wait.

Tom Gannon was the sommelier for 10 years at Rothmann’s Steakhouse in New York City. He now works as a wine consultant and for the Spire Collection in Tennessee, New York and Boston.